JAIN TESTS -VE FOR COVID-19
NEW DELHI: Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Tuesday tested negative for COVID-19 after he was hospitalised here at the Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH). After Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal tested negative for the contagious disease a few days ago, this is the second Cabinet member to have had a Coronavirus scare.
Jain was hospitalised after running a high-grade fever and suffering a sudden drop in his oxygen level. Doctors at RGSSH said his condition is “stable”. However, he had been supplemented with oxygen supply, and his condition is being monitored.
He will be tested again on Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the 55-year-old Minister tweeted to inform that he was admitted to the RGSSH, a dedicated COVID-19 facility under the Delhi government.
“Due to high grade fever and a sudden drop of my oxygen levels last night I have been admitted to RGSSH. Will keep everyone updated,” he tweeted. He later tested for COVID-19, hospital authorities said.
“He was brought to the hospital late night. A COVID test was done on him and he has tested negative,” a senior official of the hospital said.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal hoped that Jain recovers soon. “Without worrying about your health, you were dedicated in service of people round-theclock. Please take care and get well soon,” he tweeted in Hindi.
Key DDMA meeting postponed
Owing to Jain’s health deteriorating, a key meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority scheduled for Tuesday was postponed. Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal and CM Kejriwal were slated to discuss price capping of private OVID19 treatment at the meeting, according to the meeting notice released days ago.
After a meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Delhi government was authorised to notify subsidised rate for private COVID-19 treatment. As per the meeting discussion, it was decided that a committee headed by NITI Aayog Member Dr VK Paul would recommend ways to regulate private hospitals treating Coronavirus patients, which would then be notified by the Delhi government after discussions at Tuesday’s DDMA meeting, which was cancelled due to Jain being hospitalised.
As per preliminary discussions, a plan is in the works to ensure that at least 60 per cent of patients being treated at private COVID-19 hospitals in the Capital be charged subsidised rates. Meanwhile, the six IAS officers assigned to the Delhi government following Shah’s meeting are yet to take charge here.